Anchored ankle support

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an anchored ankle brace including an anchor strap that connects an anchor member and ankle support member creating an increased resistance to lateral roll at the ankle. The ankle support member includes an ankle surround that surrounds and encloses at least a portion of the foot and an anchor member for positioning about the circumference above a midpoint of the lower leg characterized by a girth that is increasing as a distance from the ankle joint decreases. The anchored ankle brace also includes an anchor strap attached at a first end to the ankle support member and at a second end to the anchor member. The anchored ankle brace stabilizes the ankle joint increasing resistance to ankle sprain characterized by excessive inversion with planter flexion also known as “rolling the ankle”.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to devices and methods for stabilizing the ankle joint and surrounding ligament complex and more particularly to an ankle support that is stabilized by attachment about the proximal tibia, just distal to the knee.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTraditionally, prophylactic ankle braces have utilized linear and diagonal strapping as well as various fastening systems, for instance laces or hook and loop closures, to provide static resistance to excessive sub-talar, ankle mortise, and mid-foot inversion and eversion. The most common athletic injury is the ankle sprain. Moreover, the most common mechanism injury (MOI) of ankle sprain is that of excessive inversion with planter flexion, also known as “rolling the ankle”. Excessive inversion may damage the lateral collateral ligaments (LCL). Specifically, the LCL is comprised of the anterior talo-fibular, calcano-fibular and posterior talo-fibular ligaments of the ankle.In attempt to protec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a device and method for stabilizing the ankle joint and surrounding ligament complex. The invention includes an ankle support that is stabilized by attachment about the proximal end of the lower leg, above a midpoint or belly of the calf musculature. The attachment is made using an anchor member that takes advantage of the enlarging girth of the calf to resist downward pulling force on the anchor. The invention also includes an anchor strap that is attached to the ankle support and the anchor member, which allows adjustment of tension and provides resistance to excessive inversion and planter flexion. The technical effect of the invention is improved performance and resistance to damage to the lateral collateral ligaments during physical activities."

Problems solved by technology

The problem with deriving stability from these circumferential fibers at the top of the brace is that forces pulling distalward, for instance those forces observed during inversion, can cause downward slippage of the most proximal faces of the brace due to the decreasing girth of the lower leg at this point.

Images